Family – Page 20 – Kotter Family

Kindergarten Graduation

On Wednesday Lucas graduated from kindergarten! He was super excited to be done with school for the year and for his graduation. The kids sang some songs, the principal asked some of them questions (which kids answers are always funny), they then received their ‘diplomas’ and got to watch a slideshow with some pictures of them through the school year.

It seems like just yesterday we were coming home from the hospital with Lucas. I remember how tiny he was and how scared I was as a new dad, and now he’s a very smart, almost 6 year-old that’s done with kindergarten. Congrats Lucas!

His cap was a little big for him, but he eventually pulled it back so he could see.

Getting his diploma from his principal, while his teacher read off his name.

Lucas is glad to have such good grandparents

Memorial Day

William doesn't seem too impressed — William doesn’t seem too impressed

Gardening

We were really looking forward to doing some gardening this year, as we have our own house now and can do what we want. The house came with three garden boxes, and we decided to buy a few more. We were going to get another three, making an even six, but Walmart only had two of the ones we want, so we’ll have to get the third on later.

And then my parents had extra raspberries they didn’t want, so we took some and transplanted them around the edge of our fence. Probably won’t get any raspberries until next year, but some of them are already starting to grow leaves, so that’s a good sign.

We got the kids some garden gloves, and they love helping out.

Easter cookies

For one FHE, Kryssi made some sugar cookies and the kids got to decorate them. Then we brought some around to a few neighbors. I always like giving our kids the chance to serve others, even if it’s something simple like bringing cookies to someone.

Easter egg hunts

Other vacation photos

So on our mini vacation that last few days, we went to an aquarium, went to the BYU spring game, went to the BYU softball game, went to IKEA, went to Scheels, spent lots of time playing with family, spent a night at a hotel and let the kids go swimming, and other stuff in between. It was a lot of fun.

Hanging out on the ferris wheel at Scheels.

It's a fairly large ferris wheel for being all inside. Lucas wasn't too sure about it but he endured to the end. — It’s a fairly large ferris wheel for being all inside. Lucas wasn’t too sure about it but he endured to the end.

Cute kids resting at the hotel after lots of swimming.

Getting waxed. A bunch of people decided to do this on Sunday night (not sure why).

BYU softball game

We also decided to go to a softball game on Saturday, which Kryssi was super excited about. BYU played Idaho State, and it ended up being a really good game. We were down 10 to 0, then came back and won 11 – 10. The kids got to meet Cosmo and have some popcorn, so they had a good time as well.

1014464_10100507501451754_1698631877_n

Cosmo tickling McKinley's ear. — Cosmo tickling McKinley’s ear.

Lucas thought he was pretty cool having Cosmo sit by him.

BYU kids clinic & scrimmage

On Saturday, during our trip to Utah, we went into Provo. Our first stop was at Lavell Edwards Stadium. BYU has been having their Spring football practices, and Saturday they had their Spring scrimmage, which was open to the public. Before the scrimmage, they had a kids clinic, where kids got to go onto the field and run drills with the players.

I thought Lucas would enjoy that, so we got there in time to participate. He was kind of nervous, just a lot of kids and he wasn’t sure what to do, but he had fun (I think). I know I had fun, it’s not very often you get to be out on the field and then get to have front row seats. Then we stayed and watched some of the spring game, which was fun.

Listening to some of the receivers explain the drill.

Running from cone to cone, to catch a pass.

Aquarium

We took a trip to Utah, during Lucas’ spring break, and one of our first stops was at the new aquarium that just opened up there. A lot of the exhibits hadn’t been moved from the old location yet, which was disappointing, but our tickets we got allow us to go back at a later date, which we’ll definitely take advantage of. The kids really enjoyed it though, so that was good.

This tunnel was probably the coolest part, at least to me.

Kara and Nigel walking over the rope bridge. Kryssi got pictures of Lucas and McKinley doing this (which I'll have to get). The bridge was kind of high, but they both did it without really blinking. — Kara and Nigel walking over the rope bridge. Kryssi got pictures of Lucas and McKinley doing this (which I’ll have to get). The bridge was kind of high, but they both did it without really blinking.

Trampoline

We finally got a trampoline! We’ve been looking around for a bit, because we also want to get a play set, and most places all have trampolines for roughly the same price. Last week though, Kmart had a sale on theirs and they ended up being the cheapest I’ve ever seen, so I gave in and we bought one.

I didn’t have any time to get it set up until Saturday, but luckily the weather was good and I was able to get it put together fairly easily. I think the kids spent most of the day playing on it, so I think it was definitely worth the expense.

Our yard doesn't look quite so empty now. — Our yard doesn’t look quite so empty now.

The kids had to try it out once I got the springs on, before I could get the enclosure on.

Lucas is pretty happy to have a trampoline. I didn't hear this but I guess at one point he yelled out how much he loved the tramp and 'Thanks mom & dad!'. The neighbor heard though and had to tell Kryssi at church how cute it was. — Lucas is pretty happy to have a trampoline. I didn’t hear this but I guess at one point he yelled out how much he loved the tramp and ‘Thanks mom & dad!’. The neighbor heard though and had to tell Kryssi at church how cute it was.